StrengthSince you last played
Reworked in 7.37Reworked in 7.37 Jul 2024
Kunkka changed enough that old habits may not hold. The kit further down is how Kunkka plays now.
- ◆Torrent Storm Ability removed
- ◆Admiral's Rum New Innate ability. Passive, can't be leveled up
- ▼Tidebringer No longer an innate ability
5 buffs and 10 nerfs since the rework: trending weaker.
Biggest ability changes
- ▼Admiral's Rum Cooldown decreased from 60.5s - 0.5s per level to 50.5s - 0.5s per leveladjusted 7 times across 3 patches, net nerf
- ▼Ghostship Multiplication applies to duration, delayed damage and movement speed bonusadjusted 4 times across 2 patches, net nerf
- ▼Tidal Wave As a result, wave's spawn distance behind Kunkka decreased from 900 to 750adjusted 3 times across 1 patch, net nerf
- ◆Tidebringer Cleave Range decreased from 650/800/950/1100 to 650/775/900/1025adjusted 2 times across 2 patches, roughly even
- ◆Admirals Rum Info Ghostship's Rum Duration isn't affected
- ▲Torrent Damage increased from 80/160/240/320 to 110/180/250/320
- ▲X Marks the Spot Cooldown decreased from 30/24/18/12s to 24/20/16/12s
Talents changed
- ◆Lv10 talent -15s Admiral's Rum Cooldown replaced with +1s Admiral's Rum Buff Duration
- ◆Lv15 talent Tidebringer Damage increased from +70 to +75
- ◆Lv20 talent +15% Admiral's Rum Damage Delayed replaced with +80% Tidebringer Cleave
- ◆Lv25 talent +130% Tidebringer Cleave replaced with Tidebringer Ignores 25% Armor
Facets were part of the game from 7.36 and were removed in 7.41. Kunkka had 1 facet change in between.
Most recent change patch 7.41c, May 2026
- ▲Admiral's Rum Cooldown decreased from 60.5s - 0.5s per level to 50.5s - 0.5s per level
Current abilities
TorrentSummons a rising torrent that, after a short delay, hurls enemy units into the sky, stunning, dealing damage and slowing movement speed.
TidebringerKunkka's legendary sword grants increased damage and cleaves a large area of effect in front of him for a single strike.
X Marks the SpotTargets a friendly or enemy Hero, marks their position with an X, and returns them to it after several seconds. Kunkka can trigger the return at any time during the duration. Lasts twice as long on allied heroes.
Admiral's Rum innate
Tidal WaveReleases a Tidal Wave that spawns behind Kunkka. Deals damage and drags enemies along it. Enemies cannot attack while being dragged.
GhostshipSummons a ghostly ship that sails through the battle before smashing apart, damaging and stunning all enemies caught near the wreckage. Allied heroes touched by the Ghostship are given a 2x strong swig of The Admiral's Rum.
ReturnReturns the marked hero to the X.
What players buy on Kunkka
Starting items
- Circlet 155g
- Quelling Blade 100g
Early game
- Bracer 505g
- Phase Boots 1450g
Attack damage and a speed burst to close in on targets
Mid game
Debuff immunity, to act in a fight without being disabled
- Aghanim's Scepter 4200g
- Blade Mail 2400g
Returns damage against enemies who focus you
- Radiance 4700g
- Shadow Blade 3250g
- Crystalys 2000g
Late game
- Daedalus 5200g
- Scythe of Vyse 5200g
Another reliable disable to lock down a target
- Silver Edge 5700g
- Assault Cuirass 5125g
An armor aura for your side and an armor cut on enemies
- Sange and Yasha 4200g
Most bought first, from item purchases in recent professional matches (OpenDota, Nov 2026). Public games can differ.